Canada’s first National Truth and Reconciliation Day will take place on Thursday and communities across the country are preparing to mark the day with virtual and in-person events. Not all provinces and territories are officially observing the federal statutory holiday announced in June, but many schools, businesses, and different levels of government are recognizing it. Here are some examples of some events that take place:
– A primetime special honoring residential school survivors will air on APTN and CBC / Radio-Canada.
– Tk’emlups te Secwepemc Nation of British Columbia urges that the Secwepemc Song of Honor be taught in schools, workplaces and home. The First Nation posted a video to help people learn the song and suggests that people sing and drum at 2:15 PM PST.
– A ceremony at Fort Calgary will include remarks from Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, a Siksika elder, a veteran of the Canadian Indian Army, as well as presentations on intergenerational trauma. The event will close with drums and dancing and will be streamed live at calgary.ca/live.
– Organizers are encouraging the public to join an exhibit at Hardy Park in Brockville, Ontario, to see the 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
—An outdoor concert called Unity Jam will take place at Dufferin Grove Park in Toronto. The show will feature performances by indigenous singer-songwriters Derek Miller and Logan Staats, and Layla Black, a fourth-generation residential school survivor and multidisciplinary artist specializing in digital media.
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– Teachings will be shared in honor of survivors and those who did not return home from residential schools at a sacred fire at Memorial Park in Winnipeg Monday through Wednesday.
– The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Center will hold a “Boardwalk Reconciliation Weekend” at the Sands at Salter urban beach area in Halifax from Thursday to October 2. The weekend will include crafts, a traditional salmon dinner, and live entertainment. .
—The National Center for Truth and Reconciliation is organizing a series of virtual events starting Monday. Topics will include treaties, claims to undisclosed lands and territories, language and culture, and truth and reconciliation. Videos can be viewed on the nctr.ca website.
This Canadian Press report was first published on September 27, 2021.
Reference-www.nationalobserver.com